Skip to content
Search AI Powered

Latest Stories

India makes biggest leap in 2025 passport rankings as US and UK slip

Singapore retains the world’s strongest passport in the latest Henley Passport Index, while India rises eight spots to 77th—the highest jump this year. Meanwhile, the United States and the United Kingdom continue their downward trend, falling to 10th and 6th place.

India makes biggest leap in 2025 passport rankings

India’s passport saw the largest improvement in the last six months, surging from 85th to 77th place. This significant upward move reflects a steady trend and growing global mobility for Indian citizens.

iStock

Singapore has once again claimed the top spot in the Henley Passport Index, solidifying its reputation as the holder of the world’s most powerful passport in 2025. This prestigious position comes after Singapore broke a six-way tie for first place earlier this year. Citizens of Singapore now enjoy visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 193 countries, making international travel exceptionally easy for them.

In 2024, Singapore shared the highest rank with Japan, Germany, Italy, Spain, and France, but the latest index sees it standing alone at the summit. The Henley Passport Index, a globally respected authority, determines rankings based primarily on the number of destinations passport holders can reach without needing a prior visa, using data from the International Air Transport Association.


Changing global dynamics: The fall of the US and UK

The United States and United Kingdom, previously regarded as top passport holders, have both dropped in this year's rankings. The US passport slipped to 10th place from 9th, while the UK moved down to 6th place from 5th. According to Henley & Partners, this decline continues a "long-term downward trend" that has seen both countries lose ground compared to their historical dominance.

“Notably, the US is now on the brink of exiting the Top 10 altogether for the first time in the index’s 20-year history,” the company noted, highlighting the shifting landscape of global mobility.

Domination by European and Asian countries

A review of the top 10 passports reveals a list largely ruled by European nations, but crucially, the very top spots are occupied by Asian economies. The leading positions are as follows:

RankCountryVisa-free Access
1Singapore193
2Japan
2South Korea
3Denmark
3Finland
3France
3Germany
3Ireland
3Italy
3Spain
4Austria
4Belgium
4Luxembourg
4Netherlands
4Norway
4Portugal
4Sweden
5Greece
5New Zealand
5Switzerland
6United Kingdom
7Australia
7Czechia
7Hungary
7Malta
7Poland
8Canada
8Estonia
8United Arab Emirates
9Croatia
9Latvia
9Slovakia
9Slovenia
10Iceland182
10Lithuania182
10United States182

Notably, Singapore leads, followed by Japan and South Korea tied for second. Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, and Spain are tied for third place.

India and other movers: Rising in the ranks

India’s passport saw the largest improvement in the last six months, surging from 85th to 77th place. This significant upward move reflects a steady trend and growing global mobility for Indian citizens. Over the past decade, the UAE and China have also been standout performers—each advancing 34 spots. However, only the UAE has managed to break into the top 10 during this period, highlighting its rapid rise in economic and diplomatic stature.

China’s rise is particularly noteworthy, given its lack of visa-free access to Europe’s Schengen Area, making its progress in the rankings even more impressive.

The world’s least powerful passport

At the other end of the spectrum, Afghanistan’s passport remains the least powerful globally, offering visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to only 25 countries.

Methodology and alternative indices

The Henley Passport Index measures passport strength solely by travel freedom, whereas the Nomad Passport Index, also widely followed, incorporates taxation and other criteria to provide a broader view of global citizenship.

The 2025 rankings reflect shifting dynamics in global mobility, with Asian countries asserting dominance, European nations maintaining strength, and traditional leaders such as the US and UK experiencing declines. India, UAE, and China are among the biggest movers upward, testament to their increasing global engagement and mobility advantages in an ever-changing world.